SINGAPORE BASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1929, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

CONTRACT TO BE HONOURED SIR J. WARD’S STATEMENT (Special to ‘'Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 31. The question of New Zealand s contribution to the cost of the Singapore Base, was referred to in the House toMr. Langstone asked the Prime Minister whether he would re-consider the payment of New Zealand’s quota of £125,000 per annum for eight years, and transfer the money for the relief of unemployment within the Dominion. Sir J. Ward replied that New Zealand had so far contributed £250,000 for the Base. The Government attached the greatest importance to the naval base at’ Singapore, and would not be willing to reconsider the contribution payable by New Zealand. Mr. Langstone urged that the contribution should be dropped. He said that with the change of Government at Home, a change of policy on New Zealand’s part, as suggested by him would be welcomed. The Prime Minister said that the previous Government was responsible for the Singapore Base contribution. A contract was entered into between the Home Government and the New Zealand Government, and this Government was doing its part. Sir Joseph said that a few days ago he had replied to the British Government, advising adhering to the arrangement made between the Home Government and the Dominion Government, (.xiear, hear.) The reason for entering into the agreement need not be gone into, except to'say that over £100,000,000 worth of goods passed anually between this country and other countries. The country had entered into an obligation to protect the interests of the people concerned in that large sum, which was annually passing backwards and forwards. Mr. Howard: Not passing that way though. Sir Joseph said that we could not expect the Brtish people to continue to be responsible for naval protection. We had a distinct obligation resting on our shoulders on behalf of the people trading to 'and from New Zealand. ( They could not expect the British authorities to accept that responsibility on their own account. The advisers of the Admiralty had recommended the establishment of the Singapore Base. It was too late now to turn back on ouy undertaking, which had been honourably entered into. New Zealand had entered into the undertaking upon the authority of Parliament, and it was idle to say now that we should have the money and utilise it for other purposes. Mr. O’Brien: It is not for the protection of trade. It is a war measure.

The Prime Minister: Oh no, it is partially a war measure and partially a trade measure. As a matter of fact you cannot shut your eyes to the fact that we have obligations to defend goods valued at £100,000,000 a year passing between this country and the Old Country, and that is not a matter that can bo lightly thrown aside in peace time. We have certain obligations upon us to protect interests with £100,000,000 represented, if war should unhappily arise. The authorities who advised the Home Government, believe that the Singapore Base is necessary to enable the British Admiralty to carry on its affairs. Anyhow, a contract has been entered into on the authority of Parliament, and there is no use beating the air about it now —it is done, and we are standing, and rightly so, by the agreement which the House authorised, namely the contribution of £1,000,000 to the cost of the Singapore Base. (Hear! Hear!)

MILITARY SERVICE.

REPEAL BILL REJECTED. (Special to ‘'Star.") WELLINGTON, August 1. There was an animated discussion on the Compulsory Military Service Repeal Bill, when Mr Jordan moved the second reading. Eventually, the Bill was defeated, at 12 15 a.m., by 46 votes to 21. The following was the division list: — Ayes (21). —Armstrong, Barnard, Carr, Chapman, Ffaser, Hawke, H. E. Holland, Howard, Jenkins, Jordan, Langstone, McCombs, McDougall, McKeen, Martin, Mason, Munns,, O’Brien, Parry, Savage, Semple. Noes (46). —Ansell, Atmore, Bitchener, Black, Bodkin, Broadfoot, Campbell, Clinkard, Coates, Cobbe, Dickie, Donald, Field, Fletcher, Forbes, Hall, Hamilton, Harris, Healy, Hogan, H. Holland, Jones, Kyle, Linklater, Lysnar, McDonald, MacMillan, Makitaura, Massey, Murdoch, Nash, Ngata, Polson, Ransom, Samuel, Smith, Stallworthy, Sykes, Taverner, Veitch, Waite, Ward, Wilkinson, Williams, Wright, Young. Mr Rushworth was paired in favour of the Bill.